USE OF MEDICAL DATABASES BY THE FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS OF SPEECH AND HEARING INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA: A STUDY

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1 International Journal of in Library Science ISSN: X Volume 3,Issue 2 (July-December) 2017,71-85 Received: 28 Sept ; Accepted: 4 Oct ; Published: 6 Oct 2017 ; Paper ID: IJRLS-1258 USE OF MEDICAL DATABASES BY THE FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS OF SPEECH AND HEARING INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA: A STUDY Ramamani B 1 ; C.P. Ramasesh 2 Library Assistant, LDC-IL Project, Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore 1 ; Former University Librarian I/c, Mysore University Library, Mysore 2 ramamlisc@gmail.com 1 ; cpramasesh@gmail.com 2 ABSTRACT The Paper examines the extent of use of medical databases by the faculty and research scholars working in the speech and hearing institutions in India. The study is based on the responses obtained from the faculty and research scholars. The aspects in respect of the frequency of use and the extent of use of the e-databases of e-journals and e-databases are dealt in the study. Further, the research study has highlighted the top ten most useful online journals and medical databases. also depicted the need of training for the faculty and research scholars for optimal use of e-resources. The data collected have been analyzed under frequency and percentages, chi-square and Cramer s V value tests. Keywords: Online Medical databases; Speech and Hearing Institutions; e-resources, Medical ; e-resources,. 1. INTRODUCTION The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies. The Internet carries an extensive range of information resources and services, such as the interlinked hypertext documents of the World Wide Web (WWW) and the infrastructure to support . The revolution of digital library is a landmark in the profession of the 21 st century which is promising delivery of complete information to users desktop in a seamless manner from any corner of the globe. The present century is the century of information society and various technological developments in IT sector such as Internet, web portal, e-books, e-journals, digital libraries, and subject gateways. Tenopir (2000) has defined e-resources as those electronic information resources and services that user accesses electronically via a computer network from inside the library or remote to library. E-resources are now a reality in the age of information technology. With the advent of Internet, users can access many, e-books, e-journals, e-databases, magazines and newsletters anytime from anywhere for their academic and research developments. In the past, libraries had to deal with only printed journals but with the application of information technology in publishing and Internet, many more journals are being 2017, IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 71

2 Ramamani B & C.P. Ramasesh published in electronic form and available on Internet. The number of electronic journals since the recent past is growing at a faster rate every year. 2. OBJECTIVES 1. To know the frequency of use of e-resources by the faculty and research scholars of speech and hearing institutions in India. 2. To know the extent of use of various online medical databases 3. To project the top ten useful online journals and medical databases. 3. To know the need of training among the faculty and research scholars. 3. METHODOLOGY Altogether, there are 24 institutions in different states in India which are offering post-graduate and doctoral degree programs in the discipline of speech and hearing. While considering the number of faculty and research scholars working in these 24 institutions, there are altogether 268 faculty members and 98 research scholars in the speech and hearing institutions in the country. For the purpose of this study, all the faculty and research scholars working in these 24 institutions have been considered. As the population is not huge, the investigator in the study has tried to cover the entire population of faculty and research scholars. Initially, the questionnaires were sent to the faculty and research scholars through in order to elicit the responses on the use of e-resources. Subsequently, some of the responses were also obtained by courier post. In order to mail the questionnaire to the respondents, addresses of the faculty and research scholars were gathered from the institutions directories and websites. Among the entire population of 268 faculty and 98 research scholars, faculty representing 78.35% and research scholars representing 76.53% have responded with duly filled in questionnaires. While considering the entire population of users which constitutes 366 faculty and researchers, users have responded in the present study which accounted for 77.86% of the total response. The data thus obtained have been tabulated and interpreted to arrive at the findings and suggestions of the study. The researcher has used tables and charts for clarity of understanding. Further, Chi-square and Cramer s V valve tests were applied for the purpose of analysis and interpretations of the data. 1.1 List of Speech and Hearing institutions covered under the study: 1. Helen Keller s Institute of and Rehabilitation for the Disabled Children Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh. 2. Sweekar Academy of Rehabilitation Sciences Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh. 3. J.M. Institute of Speech and Hearing Patna, Bihar. 4. All India Institute of Speech and Hearing Mysuru, Karnataka. 5.. Dr. M.V. Shetty College of Speech and Hearing Mangaluru, Karnataka. 6. Dr. S. R. Chandrashekar Institute of Speech and Hearing Bengaluru, Karnataka. 7. J.S. S. Institute of Speech and Hearing Mysuru, Karnataka. 8. Kasturba Medical College Mangaluru, Karnataka. 9. Manipal Academy of Higher Education College of Allied Health Sciences Manipal, Karnataka. 10. Naseema Institute of Speech and Hearing Bengaluru, Karnataka. 11. NITTE Institute of Speech and Hearing Mangaluru, Karnataka. 12. Samvaad Institute of Speech and Hearing Bengaluru, Karnataka. 13. AWH Special College Calicut, Kerala. 14. Institute for Communicative and Cognitive Neuro Sciences Shoranur, Kerala. 15. Mar Thoma Institute of Speech and Hearing Kasargod, Kerala. 2017, IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 72

3 USE OF MEDICAL DATABASES BY THE FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS OF SPEECH AND HEARING INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA: A STUDY 16. National Institute of Speech and Hearing Trivandurum, Kerala. 17. Ali Yavur Jung National Institute for Hearing Handicapped Mumbai, Maharastra. 18. Bharati Vidyapeetha Pune, Maharastra. 19. Topiwala National Medical College Mumbai, Maharastra. 20. Institute of Health Sciences Bhubaneswar, Odissa. 21. Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Chandigarh, Punjab. 22. MERF Institute of Speech and Hearing Chennai, Tamilnadu. 23. Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Institute Chennai, Tamilnadu. 24. SRM Medical College Hospital and Centre Potheri, Tamilnadu. 4. DATA ANALYSIS Table: 1 Distribution of questionnaire to the respondents Sl. No. Category of Number of respondents working in the institutions Questionnaire received back as response Percentage of response Table 1 depicts the distribution of questionnaire to the faculty and research scholars. According to the Rehabilitation Council of India (a statutory body to regulate and monitor services given to persons with disability, to standardize syllabi and to maintain a Central Rehabilitation Register of all qualified professionals and personnel working in the field of Rehabilitation and Special Education), website of the institutions and the annual reports / brochures of the institutions, there are 268 faculty and 98 research scholars working in the 24 institutions which are offering Master s degree and Doctoral degree programs. The researcher has been able to distribute questionnaires to the faculty and research scholars seeking response as to know about the use and awareness of the e-resources ( e-books, e-journals and e-databases). Responses have been obtained from faculty and research scholars which accounted for 77.86% of the total response. Table: 2 Frequency of use of e-resources Frequency CV& P 1. Daily (35.7%) 37 (49.3%) 112 (39.3%) CV=.177; 2. Alternate Days 52 (24.8%) 13 (17.3%) 65 (22.8%) p= , IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 73

4 Ramamani B & C.P. Ramasesh 3. Twice weekly 21 (10.0%) 04 (5.3%) 25 (8.8%) 4. Weekly 38 (18.1%) 08 (10.7%) 46 (16.1%) 5. Fortnightly 13 (6.2%) 08 (10.7%) 21 (7.4%) 6. Occasionally 11 (5.2%) 05 (6.7%) 16 (5.6%) Table 2 projects the frequency of use of e-resources (e-books, e-journals and databases). Among the entire population of the users, 39.3% access the e-resources on a daily basis. Another 22.8% of the users access the e-resources on alternate days. From this, it is clear that 62.1% of the users frequently access the e-resources for various academic and research purposes. Further, 16.1% access the e-resources once in a week. Very few users representing 7.4% and 5.6% have responded stating that they access the e-resources once in a fortnight and occasionally. This clearly depicts that in speech and hearing institutions, faculty engaged in supervising the research and research scholars working for doctoral degree depend on e- resources frequently. Cramer's V value test revealed a significant difference between groups of frequencies for number of years (CV=.177; p=.113). Table: 3 Extent of use of PubMed by faculty and research scholars Extent of use of PubMed X 2 & P 1. Low 40 (19.0%) (17.5%) X 2 =28.33; p= Moderate 68 (32.3%) 27 (36.0%) 95 (33.3%) 2017, IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 74

5 USE OF MEDICAL DATABASES BY THE FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS OF SPEECH AND HEARING INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA: A STUDY 3. High 102 (48.6%) 38 (50.6%) 140 (49.1%) Table 3 shows the extent of use of PubMed provided by the library to its users. Among the respondents, 140 faculty and research scholars representing 49.1% have felt that the extent of use of PubMed is high and a large number of respondents which includes 50 faculty and research scholars constitute 17.5% have indicated that the extent of use of PubMed is low. Further, 95 respondents representing 33.3% have mentioned that the extent of use of PubMed is moderate for their professional needs. Considering the category of users of PubMed, 102 faculty representing 48.6% and 38 research scholars representing 50.6% have indicated that the extent of the use is high. Further, 40(19.0%) faculty and 10 of the researchers opined that the use of PubMed is only to a lower extent. Thus, it is clear that a large percentage of faculty and researchers use PubMed to the higher extent. Chi-square value revealed that a significant difference between groups of frequencies (X 2 =28.33; p=.069). Table: 4 Extent of use of HELENET by faculty and research scholars Extent of use of HELENET X 2 & P 4. Low 60 (28.6%) (24.5%) 5. Moderate 48 (22.9%) 27 (36.0%) (26.3%) X 2 =28.33; p= High 102 (48.6%) 38 (50.6%) 140 (49.1%) 2017, IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page

6 Ramamani B & C.P. Ramasesh Table 4 depicts the extent of use of HELENET provided by the library to its users. Among the respondents, 140 faculty and research scholars representing 49.1% have felt that the extent of use of HELENET is high and a large number of respondents which includes 70 faculty and research scholars constitute 24.5% have indicated that the extent of use of HELENET is low. Further, respondents representing 26.3% have mentioned that the extent of use of HELENET is moderate for their professional needs. Considering the category of users of HELENET, 102 faculty representing 48.6% and 38 research scholars representing 50.6% have indicated that the extent of use is high. Further, 60(28.6%) faculty and 10 of the researchers opined that the use of HELENET is only to a lower extent. Thus, it is clear that a large percentage of faculty and researchers use HELENET to the higher extent. Chi-square value revealed that a significant difference between groups of frequencies (X 2 =28.33; p=.069). Table: 5 Extent of use of MEDLINE by faculty and research scholars Extent of use of MEDLINE X 2 & P 1. Low 20 (9.5%) 19 (25.33%) 39 (13.68%) 2. Moderate 109 (51.9%) 25 (33.3%) 134 (47.01%) X 2 =49.53; 3. High 81 (38.5%) 31 (41.33%) 112 (39.29 %) p= , IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 76

7 USE OF MEDICAL DATABASES BY THE FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS OF SPEECH AND HEARING INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA: A STUDY Table 5 furnishes the extent of use of MEDLINE provided by the library to its users. It is evident from the table that 134(47.01%) faculty and research scholars have felt that the extent of use of MEDLINE is only to a moderate extent. Further, 112(39.29%) faculty and research scholars have expressed that the extent of use of MEDLINE is high and followed by small segment of 39(13.68%) respondents have indicated that the extent of use of MEDLINE is to a lower extent. However, among the faculties, 109 representing 51.9% opined that the use of MEDLINE is moderate and 81(38.5%) felt that the use of MEDLINE is to the higher extent. A few respondents comprising of 20(9.5%) members felt that the use is only to the limited extent. While considering the use of MEDLINE by the research scholars, 25 representing 33.3% have stated that the use is only to the moderate extent. However, among the researchers, 31(41.33%) opined that the use is to a higher extent and 19(25.33%) of them felt that the use is only to a little extent. Thus, it is deduced a large percentage of the faculty and researchers in speech and hearing institutions rely upon MEDLINE only to a moderate extent. Chi-square value revealed that a significant difference between groups of frequencies (X 2 =49.53; p=.000). Table: 6 Extent of use of JCCC-ICMR by faculty and research scholars Extent of use of JCCC-ICMR X 2 & P 1. Low 70 (33.3%) 17 (22.7%) 87 (30.5%) 2. Moderate 96 (45.7%) 42 (56.0%) 138 (48.4%) X 2 =36.67; 3. High 44 (21.0%) 16 (21.3%) 60 (21.05%) p= , IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 77

8 Ramamani B & C.P. Ramasesh Table 6 represents the extent of use of JCCC-ICMR provided by the library to its users. It is clear from the table that 138 faculty and research scholars representing 48.4% have mentioned that the use of JCCC-ICMR is to a moderate extent and a large number consisting of 87 faculty and research scholars represent 30.5% state that the extent of use of JCCC-ICMR is lower extent. A few of the respondents representing 21.05% of faculty and research scholars have expressed that the extent of use of JCCC-ICMR is to a higher extent. While referring to the analysis by category of respondents, it is evident from the table that a considerable number of faculty representing 96(45.7%) opined that the use of JCCC-ICMR is to a moderate extent and 70 faculty representing 33.3% have expressed that the use of JCCC-ICMR is to a lower extent. On the other hand, 42 research scholars representing 56.0% felt that the use of JCCC-ICMR is to a moderate extent and 17 researchers representing 22.7% have felt that the use of JCCC- ICMR is to a lower extent. Therefore, a majority of the faculty and research scholars rely upon JCCC-ICMR to a moderate extent. Chi-square value revealed that a significant difference between groups of frequencies (X 2 =36.67; p=.000). Table: 7 Extent of use of WHOLIS by faculty and research scholars Extent of use of WHOLIS X 2 & P 1. Low 133 (63.3%) 30 (40.0%) 163 (57.1%) 2. Moderate 53 (25.2%) 37 (49.3%) 90 (31.5%) X 2 =109.37; 3. High 24 (11.4%) 08 (10.7%) 32 (11.2%) p= , IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 78

9 USE OF MEDICAL DATABASES BY THE FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS OF SPEECH AND HEARING INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA: A STUDY Table 7 depicts the extent of use of WHOLIS provided by the library to its users. It is clear from the table that 163(57.1%) faculty and research scholars have felt that the extent of use of WHOLIS is to a lower extent. Further, 90(31.5%) respondents which includes faculty and research scholars have expressed that the extent of use of WHOLIS is to a moderate extent. A small percentage of faculty and research scholars representing 32(11.2%) stated that the extent of use of WHOLIS is to the higher extent for their academic and research purpose. Considering the use of WHOLIS by category of users, 133 faculty representing 63.3% and 30 research scholars representing 40.0% have indicated that the extent of the use as low. Further, 53(25.2%) faculty and 37(49.3%) of the researchers opined that the use of WHOLIS is useful to a higher extent. Thus, it is clear that a large percentage of respondents the use WHOLIS to the lower extent. Chi-square value revealed that a significant difference between groups of frequencies (X 2 =109.37; p=.000). Table: 8 Extent of use of ComDisDome by faculty and research scholars Extent of use of ComDisDome X 2 & P 1. Low 62 (29.5%) 27 (36.0%) 89 (31.2%) 2. Moderate 127 (60.5%) 39 (52.0%) 166 (58.2%) X 2 =99.86; 3. High 21 (10.0%) 09 (12.0%) 30 (10.5%) p= , IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 79

10 Ramamani B & C.P. Ramasesh Table 8 shows the extent of use of ComDisDome provided by the library to its users. Among the respondents, 166 representing 58.2% have felt that the extent of use of ComDisDome is to a moderate extent. However, 89 respondents representing 31.2% have expressed that the use of ComDisDome is low. Only 30 respondents representing 10.5% have mentioned that the extent of use of ComDisDome is higher. Among the faculty, 127(60.5%) respondents and 39(52.0%) among the research scholars opined that they use ComDisDome to the moderate extent. Further 62(29.5%) faculty and 27(36.0%) researchers rely upon ComDisDome to a lower extent. Further, Therefore, it is deduced that a large percentage of faculties and researchers the use ComDisDome to a moderate extent. Chi-square value revealed that a significant difference between groups of frequencies (X 2 =99.86; p=.000). Table: 9 Extent of use of J-Gate@ERMED by faculty and research scholars Extent of use of J- Gate@ERMED X 2 & P 1. Low 52 (24.8%) 20 (26.7%) 72 (25.2%) 2. Moderate 130 (61.9%) 44 (58.7%) 174 (61.05%) X 2 =104.53; 3. High (14.7%) 39 (13.6%) p=.000 Table 9 shows the extent of use of J-Gate@ERMED provided by the library to its users. It is clear, from the table that 174(61.05%) faculty and research scholars have expressed that the use of J-Gate@ERMED is to a moderate extent for their academic and research needs. Further, 72(25.2%) respondents have felt that the use of J-Gate@ERMED is low. Lastly, mere 13.6% faculty and research scholars have indicated that the use of J-Gate@ERMED is to the higher extent. While considering to the category of respondents, it is evident from the table that a majority of faculty representing 130(61.9%) opined that use of J-Gate@ERMED is moderate and 52 faculty representing 24.8% have expressed that the use of J-Gate@ERMED is to a lower extent. On the other hand, 44 research scholars representing 58.7% felt that the use of J- Gate@ERMED is moderate and 20 researchers representing 26.7% have felt that the use of J-Gate@ERMED is to a lower extent. Therefore, a large majority of the faculty and research scholars rely upon J-Gate@ERMED to a moderate extent. Chisquare value revealed that a significant difference between groups of frequencies (X 2 =104.53; p=.000). 2017, IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 80

11 USE OF MEDICAL DATABASES BY THE FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS OF SPEECH AND HEARING INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA: A STUDY Table: 10 Top ten useful online databases Online databases CV& P 3. PUBMED 44 (20.9%) 41 (54.6%) 85 (29.8%) 4. SCIENCE DIRECT 37 (17.6%) (16.4%) 5. N-LIST 27 (12.8%) (12.9%) 6. EBSCO 26 (12.3%) 03 (4.0%) 29 (10.2%) 7. RESEARCH-GATE (1.3%) 29 (10.2%) 8. MEDLINE 9. INFLIBNET 19 (9.0%) 20 (9.5%) 05 (6.6%) 01 (1.3%) 24 (8.4%) 21 (7.4%) CV=.261; p= NEUROSCIENCE INFORMATION FRAMEWORK 03 (1.4%) 02 (2.6%) 05 (1.8%) 11. NATURAL MEDICINES: COMPREHENSIVE DATABASE 03 (1.4%) 01 (1.3%) 04 (1.4%) 12. BIOMED CENTRAL 03 (1.4%) 01 (1.3%) 04 (1.4%) 2017, IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 81

12 Ramamani B & C.P. Ramasesh Table 10 depicts the response of the faculty and research scholars on top ten useful online medical databases. Among the respondents, 85 representing 29.8% have felt that PubMed is found most useful. Followed by 47(16.4%) respondents which includes 37(17.6%) faculty and 10 research scholars have mentioned that Science Direct is most useful. Followed by 37(12.9%) respondents who have indicated that N-List of INFLIBNET is useful which is suggested by 27(12.8%) faculty and 10 research scholars. 29(10.2%) respondents most frequently make use EBSCO which is recommended by 26(12.3%) faculty and 3(4.0%) research scholars. 29(10.2%) respondents are using RESEARCHGATE which is indicated by 28 faculty and 01(1.3%) research scholars. Further 24(8.4%) of respondents are relying upon MEDLINE which is indicated by19 (9.0%) faculty and 05(6.6%) research scholars. Another segment of respondents covering 21(7.4%) have mentioned that use of e-shodhsindhu of INFLIBNET is high which includes 20(9.5%) faculty and 01(1.3%) research scholars. 05(1.8%) respondents are relying upon NeuroScience Information Framework which is indicated by 03(1.4%) faculty and 02(2.6%) research scholars. Finally, 04(1.4%) respondents felt that Natural Medicines Comprehensive database and Biomed Central database are quite useful which is highlighted by 03(1.4%) faculty and 01(1.3%) research scholar. Thus, among the online databases, PubMed and Science Direct are being extensively used by the research scholars. The use of e-resources by the research scholars is high when compared to the faculty members. Biomed Central and NeuroScience Information Framework are not being used by large majority of the users comprising of faculty and research scholars. Cramer s V value was observed (CV=.261; p=.013), confirming that majority of the respondents are using these top ten e-databases to a higher range. Table: 11 Top ten useful online journals Online Journals CV& P 1. American Speech Language Hearing Association 73 (34.8%) 30 (40.0%) 103 (36.1%) 2. Journal of Audiology and 32 (15.2%) 11 (14.7%) 43 (15.1%) 3. ENT News 29 (13.8%) 09 (12.0%) Journal of Phonetics and Audiology 18 (8.6%) (9.8%) 5. Journal of Voice 17 (8.0%) 05 (6.6%) 22 (7.7%) 6. Journal of Language and Speech 15 (7.1%) 00 (0.0%) 15 (5.3%) CV=.203; p= Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10 (4.8%) 03 (4.0%) 13 (4.6%) 8. Perspectives on voice and voice Disorders 09 (4.3%) 01 (1.3%) 10 (3.5%) 9. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing 04 (1.9%) 04 (5.3%) 08 (2.8%) 10. Journal of Communication Disorder 03 (1.4%) 02 (2.7%) 05 (1.8%) 2017, IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 82

13 USE OF MEDICAL DATABASES BY THE FACULTY AND RESEARCHERS OF SPEECH AND HEARING INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA: A STUDY shows the response from the faculty and research scholars on top ten useful online journals. Among the respondents, 103 respondents representing 36.1% have felt that American Speech Language Hearing Association Journal is found useful. Followed by 43(15.1%) respondents which includes 32(15.2%) faculty and 11(14.7%) research scholars and have mentioned that access to Journal of Audiology and is quite useful. Followed by 38 respondents have indicated that ENT News Journal is useful which suggested by 29 (13.8%) faculty and 09(12.0%) research scholars. 28(9.8%) respondents make use of Journal of Phonetics and Audiology which is recommended by 18(8.6%) faculty and 10 research scholars. 22(7.7%) of respondents are using Journal of Voice which is indicated by 17(8.0%) faculty and 05(6.6%) research scholars. Further 15(5.3%) of respondents are using Journal of Language and Speech which is indicated by 15(7.1%) faculty and none of the research scholars has suggested the title. Another segment of respondents covering 13(4.6%) have mentioned that use of Occupational Safety and Health Administration is high which includes 10(4.8%) faculty and 03(4.0%) research scholars. Cramer s V value was observed (CV=.203; p=.386), confirming that majority of the respondents are using these top ten e-journals to a higher range. Table: 12 Need of orientation/ training for accessing e-resources Need of orientation /training program CV& P 1. Yes 162 (77.1%) 58 (77.3%) 220 (77.2%) 2. No 48 (22.9%) 17 (22.7%) 65 (22.8%) CV=.002; p=.973 Table 12 shows the respondents have identified the need of conducting orientation and training programmes for better access and the use of e-resources. It is important to note that 77.1% of the faculty and 77.3% of the research scholars have felt the need of orientation and training programmes. Considering the response of both the categories of users, an overwhelming majority of the respondents representing 77.2% felt the need of conducting orientation/training programmes for better access and the use of e-resources. However, only 65 respondents representing 22.8% have offered negative response stating such a kind of orientation or training is not necessary. 22.9% of the respondents among the faculty, and 22.7% among the research scholars, have not expressed the need of training programme in order to access and the use of e-resources. Cramer s V value revealed that a significant difference between frequencies (CV=.002; p=.973), with Yes response high. 2017, IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 83

14 Ramamani B & C.P. Ramasesh 5. FINDINGS 1. A large majority of users access e-resources either on daily basis or alternate days for their professional needs. 2. A large percentage of faculty and research scholars use PubMed to the higher extent. 3. A large percentage of faculty and research scholars rely upon HELENET to the higher extent. 4. A large percentage of the faculty and research scholars in speech and hearing institutions rely upon MEDLINE only to a moderate extent. 5. A majority of the faculty and research scholars rely upon JCCC-ICMR to a moderate extent. 6. A large percentage of faculty and research scholars use WHOLIS to the lower extent. 7. A large percentage of faculties and researchers use ComDisDome to a moderate extent. 8. A large majority of the faculty and research scholars rely upon J-Gate@ERMED to a moderate extent. 9. A majority of the respondents has indicated the need of conducting orientation and training programmes for better access and optimum use of e-resources. 10. Among the online databases, PubMed and Science Direct are being extensively used by the research scholars. The use of e-resources by the research scholars is high when compared to the faculty members. Biomed Central and NeuroScience Information Framework are not being used by large majority of the users 6. SUGGESTIONS 1. The Internet browsing terminals in some of the institution libraries need to be increased so as to make the Internet browsing facility adequate. Further, the band-width or the speed of the Internet should also be increased to speed up the process of the information search. 2. The institution libraries should organize seminars, workshops and orientation programmes for faculty and research scholars on periodical basis in order to keep them with latest information, especially the trends and developments in their subject field. CONCLUSION The importance of e-resources comprising of e-books, e-journals and e-theses is undisputed for teaching and research especially in the field of medical sciences. Noticing this need, the Indian Council of Medical (ICMR) and Ragiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RAGUHS) have started extending access to full-text medical journals since the past many years. The trend of facilitating remote access to scholarly information is also considered by the medical institutions in order to make the information services available anytime and anywhere. Noticing the trends in accessing primary and research oriented information, of late, the popular publishers have also started publishing in electronic form. Day-by-day, the number of online books and journals is increasing and the medical specialists have also become familiar with accessing online information sources. The medical institutions of late have also given due importance for the creation of institutional repositories of the theses and dissertations, as well as, the publications of faculties and research scholars of the institutions. The digital repositories now-a-days are found quite useful for the user communities. Further, it is also the fact that such of this institutional information including the report literature has to be made accessible in a resource sharing network. The resource sharing programmes will enable the institutions to facilitate access to information to a larger group of users and there by eliminate duplication of efforts and economic resources. REFERENCES [1]. Ali, Naushad. (2005). The use of electronic resources at IIT Delhi Library: A study of search behaviours. The Electronic Library, 23(6), , IJRLS All Rights Reserved Page 84

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